Also as reported on M3post Homepage.
Of special interest is the fact that this car is said to be using KERS (regenerative braking systems)!.

///M3s in the EU have used a glass mat battery and regenerative braking since launch. KERS is a good deal more complicated than that and requires a manner in which to re-use the wasted energy as propulsion, mechanical or electrical.

From all indications the ///M3 will not see a KERS system as it is too pricey for even a CSL model.

Wow great post, great information. I can't believe the M3 CSL might be the first BMW to get KERS. This might give the car a nice bump to its torque curve. That would appeal to many. As far as getting the parts and putting them on your regular E9X M3 good luck. BMW made it next to impossible to get true CSL parts, you can have folks buy all the kit parts and basically make a good portion of the car for way less than the new price!

Surely an M3 CSL will approach (if not exceed) an F10 M5 in price, so then there must be no KERS for the new M5 either?

The CSL will be more cost effective (I don't mean cheap) this go around secondary to increased availability of the materials. Though they are testing it, it would still need to be cost effective and be useful in marketing.

Mind you that KERS can mean anything having an energy boost so technically the 7 Series Hybrid will be the first BMW to get a KERS system as it is a single mode hybrid. The M3 has had regenerative braking in the EU, so they already have had some mild EDynamics in it.

There are some other rumors floating around with a source (I can't confirm them so I call it a rumor) that this is really testing a motor for the GT2 race car as ALMS is big on the Green Challenge... so if that is true this has little to do with a production car. BMW killing F1 should allow some of the tech to be trickled to other racing programs.

Also, BMW ALWAYS launches new technology in a new model so there is not a chance it would be released in the ///M3 before the ///M5. Why do you think they released the F01 when they did- new iDrive, F07 new N55 motor etc.... you will always see a new model get the new stuff first.

Who knows what this could be? This is definately is not any CSL concept if they were working on weight savings they would start with that big heavy rear exhaust. The wing on the back looks so cheesy! The GT4 that BMW Motorsport team campaigned at the 24 hour Nurburgring race in May had Akrapovic exhaust and no rear wing. Also BMW is so secretive when they test new variants, I think they would have blacked out the emblems. Just my opinion 2010 is around the corner. The U.S would never see a true CSL the D.O.T- standards are to strict, this car would never qualify to meet U.S. safety and crash standards.

To me, thee pics show some guy who slapped a wing on the trunk, installed some black rims and some kind of a roll cage inside... and suddenly we have a CSL project!!??!

May be I am too cynical and/or cautious, but so far I do not believe this to be info but rather a rumor... borderline hoax.

I hope I will be proven wrong!

I don´t think so, because first it has a munich plate and second there is an antenna on the trunk, and I saw these antennas also on other cars that were tested by BMW on the ring, but of course it is possible that it is not a BMW testcar !
But I hope so much that it is a hight performence street legal m3

Is KERS even safe and practical for the road? Wasnt this system shocking members of the F1 team at one point?

Are the benefits greater than the drawbacks in increased weight and a potential decrease in reliability due to an increase in system complexity?

If it were up to me I'd rather have lighter weight and a simpler overall car.

100% with you on lighter weight and a simpler overall car. Also, I would certainly not want to be the first in the que to get this kind of widely untested technology (and in general something that is brand new and untested). I think I already got a fare share of the DCT lag issue... (I would still buy it if I could go back in time but you see what I mean)